Pliers with multiple bite adjustment options

Abstract

A hand tool includes a handle assembly, a jaw assembly, and an adjustment assembly. The handle assembly may include a top handle and a bottom handle. The jaw assembly may include a top jaw and a bottom jaw. The top and bottom jaws may be operably coupled to the top and bottom handles to compress the top and bottom jaws toward each other responsive to compression of the top and bottom handles toward each other. The adjustment assembly may be configured to enable a grip size defined by the jaw assembly to be modified and includes a first adjuster disposed at a distal end of the top handle, a second adjuster disposed at a point between a middle portion and proximal end of the top handle, and an adjustment rod operably coupled to each of the first and second adjusters.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A hand tool comprising:
 a handle assembly comprising a top handle and a bottom handle;   a jaw assembly comprising a top jaw and a bottom jaw, the top and bottom jaws being operably coupled to the top and bottom handles to compress the top and bottom jaws toward each other responsive to compression of the top and bottom handles toward each other; and   an adjustment assembly configured to enable a grip size defined by the jaw assembly to be modified,   wherein the adjustment assembly comprises a first adjuster disposed at a distal end of the top handle, a second adjuster disposed at a point between a middle portion and proximal end of the top handle, and an adjustment rod operably coupled to each of the first and second adjusters and rotatably disposed relative to the top handle to move along a longitudinal axis of the top handle responsive to rotation of either the first adjuster or the second adjuster, and   wherein the adjustment assembly is operable for two-handed adjustment via the first adjuster and one-handed adjustment via the second adjuster.   
     
     
         2 . The hand tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first adjuster comprises an eyelet from which the hand tool is suspendable for hanging storage. 
     
     
         3 . The hand tool of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment assembly further comprises a cross link extending from the bottom handle to the adjustment rod. 
     
     
         4 . The hand tool of  claim 3 , wherein the cross link is operably coupled to the adjustment rod at a fixed location on the adjustment rod, and
 wherein the fixed location moves relative to the top handle responsive to rotation of the adjustment rod.   
     
     
         5 . The hand tool of  claim 4 , wherein the first adjuster extends off the distal end of the top handle and alternately gets closer to and farther away from the top handle responsive to rotation of the adjustment rod. 
     
     
         6 . The hand tool of  claim 5 , wherein the second adjuster is disposed in a window portion formed in the top handle, and
 wherein the window portion extends around four sides of the second adjuster and leaves two remaining sides of the second adjuster exposed for operation by a user.   
     
     
         7 . The hand tool of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment rod comprises a threaded portion in threaded engagement with a threaded collar disposed at the distal end of the top handle, and a non-threaded portion configured to interface with the second adjuster, and
 wherein rotation of the first adjuster and the second adjuster each cause corresponding rotation of the adjustment rod with a 1:1 ratio.   
     
     
         8 . The hand tool of  claim 7 , wherein the second adjuster includes a D shaped channel formed along a rotational axis thereof, and
 wherein the non-threaded portion of the adjustment rod includes a D shaped cross section configured to slidingly engage the D shaped channel such that rotation of the second adjuster causes corresponding rotation of the adjustment rod while the adjustment rod moves axially within the D shaped channel.   
     
     
         9 . The hand tool of  claim 7 , wherein the first adjuster is disposed at a first end of the adjustment rod,
 wherein the second adjuster interfaces with a second end of the adjustment rod, and   wherein interface mechanisms between the adjustment rod and the first and second adjusters are different.   
     
     
         10 . The hand tool of  claim 1 , wherein rotation of the first adjuster and the second adjuster cause corresponding rotation of the adjustment rod with a ratio that is not 1:1. 
     
     
         11 . The hand tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a clamping assembly configured to enable the top and bottom jaws to be locked at a selected distance from each other in a locked position, the selected distance being determined by the adjustment assembly. 
     
     
         12 . A hand tool comprising:
 a handle assembly comprising a top handle and a bottom handle;   a jaw assembly comprising a top jaw and a bottom jaw, the top and bottom jaws being operably coupled to the top and bottom handles to compress the top and bottom jaws toward each other responsive to compression of the top and bottom handles toward each other; and   an adjustment assembly configured to enable a grip size defined by the jaw assembly to be modified,   wherein the adjustment assembly comprises a first adjuster disposed at a distal end of the top handle, a second adjuster disposed at a point between a middle portion and proximal end of the top handle, and an adjustment rod operably coupled to each of the first and second adjusters and rotatably disposed relative to the top handle to move along a longitudinal axis of the top handle responsive to rotation of either the first adjuster or the second adjuster,   wherein the second adjuster includes an axial channel formed along a rotational axis thereof, the axial channel having a cross sectional shape presenting one or more faces that extend along an axial direction, and   wherein the adjustment rod comprises an interface portion configured to receive the axial channel and slidingly engage the second adjuster at the axial channel, the interface portion including one or more corresponding faces to engage with the one or more faces of the axial channel such that rotation of the second adjuster causes corresponding rotation of the adjustment rod while the adjustment rod moves axially within the axial channel.   
     
     
         13 . The hand tool of  claim 12 , wherein the first adjuster comprises an eyelet from which the hand tool is suspendable for hanging storage. 
     
     
         14 . The hand tool of  claim 12 , wherein the adjustment assembly further comprises a cross link extending from the bottom handle to the adjustment rod. 
     
     
         15 . The hand tool of  claim 14 , wherein the cross link is operably coupled to the adjustment rod at a fixed location on the adjustment rod, and
 wherein the fixed location moves relative to the top handle responsive to rotation of the adjustment rod.   
     
     
         16 . The hand tool of  claim 15 , wherein the first adjuster extends off the distal end of the top handle and alternately gets closer to and farther away from the top handle responsive to rotation of the adjustment rod. 
     
     
         17 . The hand tool of  claim 16 , wherein the second adjuster is disposed in a window portion formed in the top handle, and
 wherein the window portion extends around four sides of the second adjuster and leaves two remaining sides of the second adjuster exposed for operation by a user.   
     
     
         18 . The hand tool of  claim 12 , wherein the adjustment rod comprises a threaded portion in threaded engagement with a threaded collar disposed at the distal end of the top handle, and a non-threaded portion defining the interface portion. 
     
     
         19 . The hand tool of  claim 12 , wherein the first adjuster is disposed at a first end of the adjustment rod,
 wherein the second adjuster interfaces with a second end of the adjustment rod, and   wherein interface mechanisms between the adjustment rod and the first and second adjusters are different.   
     
     
         20 . The hand tool of  claim 12 , further comprising a clamping assembly configured to enable the top and bottom jaws to be locked at a selected distance from each other in a locked position, the selected distance being determined by the adjustment assembly.